Mike Preston’s report card: Position-by-position grades for Ravens’ 37-26 win over Patriots | COMMENTARY

Here’s how the Ravens graded out at every place after a 37-26 win over the New England Patriots in Week 3 on Sunday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Quarterback

Lamar Jackson ran for 107 yards on 11 carries and accomplished 18 of 29 passes for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns. During many of the sport, he was the staff’s complete offense, however he additionally missed some open receivers and struggled within the second quarter when he stopped getting into his throws. His landing move to tight finish Mark Andrews within the second quarter was underthrown and will simply have been intercepted. On this staff, nonetheless, he’s the difference-maker. Grade: B

Running backs

For the primary time this season, the Ravens earned some respect. Fourth-year participant Justice Hill had proven gradual enchancment within the first two weeks and completed with 60 yards on six carries Sunday, however he additionally struggled in move safety. Playing in his first sport since struggling a knee harm in final yr’s preseason finale, J.Okay. Dobbins recorded 23 yards on seven carries and caught two passes for 17 yards. The operating sport bought stronger within the second half and Dobbins even made some defenders miss or ran via them. Grade: C

Offensive line

The Ravens struggled within the first half, particularly after left sort out Patrick Mekari went down with an ankle harm and had to get replaced by rookie Daniel Faalele. The offensive line allowed 4 sacks, however this group bought in a rhythm within the second half, particularly with Jackson darting off sort out on operating performs. The Ravens nonetheless must be extra constant run blocking, as Hill’s 34-yard carry accounted for many of the operating backs’ manufacturing. Grade: C+

Receivers

New England coach Bill Belichick is legendary for taking away the opposing staff’s high offensive weapons, however he couldn’t decelerate Jackson nor Andrews, who had eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns. The receivers weren’t a lot of an element till the second half however made some massive performs when it mattered most. Rashod Bateman completed with two catches for 59 yards and Devin Duvernay had two catches for 25 yards, together with a 4-yard landing within the nook of the tip zone to increase the Ravens’ lead late within the third quarter. Grade: C+

Defensive line

The Patriots completed with 447 yards of complete offense, together with 145 dashing yards on 28 makes an attempt. That’s fairly regarding, particularly since New England’s longest carry went for 18 yards. . Justin Madubuike (one sack, two tackles for loss) was dominant within the second half after struggling within the first and fellow defensive finish Calais Campbell turned in a strong effort, however nostril sort out Broderick Washington bought pushed off the ball constantly. The Ravens additionally misplaced nostril sort out Michael Pierce to a left arm harm. The Patriots weren’t cute; they simply ran straight forward. Grade: D

Linebackers

It’s a toss-up between which place group is worse, the linebackers or the secondary. Inside linebacker Josh Bynes led the staff in tackles with 10, however a number of these had been away from the road of scrimmage. Both he and weak-side linebacker Patrick Queen (5 tackles, one sack) had bother getting off blocks. Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh completed with 5 tackles however nonetheless wasn’t a lot of a menace as a move rusher, which was imagined to be his forte popping out of faculty. Veteran outdoors linebacker Justin Houston went down with a groin harm and didn’t return. Grade: D

Secondary

Cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters every contributed to game-saving turnovers within the fourth quarter, however the Ravens allowed 321 passing yards to second-year quarterback Mac Jones, who usually threw behind or late to his receivers. Rookie cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis began the sport however shortly earned a spot on the bench after getting beat twice within the first quarter. Safety Marcus Williams covers a number of floor on the again finish for the Ravens, however he’s not Superman. Grade: D

Special groups

Duvernay has develop into a weapon on particular groups, as evidenced by his 43-yard punt return within the second half. Justin Tucker made a 53-yard area aim late within the sport however missed an extra-point try after the staff’s last landing. Rookie Jordan Stout additionally shanked a punt in crunch time, his second in three video games this season. He would possibly want a bit extra tutoring from assistant particular groups coach and former Ravens punter Sam Koch. Grade: B

Coaching

There are occasions when offensive coordinator Greg Roman dials up performs that make the Ravens look unbeatable and different occasions when it seems to be streetball. First-year defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald additionally has to enhance his unit after one other shaky efficiency. Coach John Harbaugh may need to take a tougher take a look at defensive backs coach Chris Hewitt. Something is lacking on the again finish of this protection. Grade: C+

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